DAVID GOODWILLIE has been frozen out of football after his loan deal at Crystal Palace was scrapped.

The former Dundee United striker has returned to Blackburn – but he can’t go out on loan again or play for Rovers until next year.

Under the terms of the loan agreement, the 23-year-old has to wait until the transfer window opens in January before he can resume his career.

Caretaker boss Eric Black, who took over from fellow-Scot Steve Kean at Ewood Park last month, said: “The player can’t go out on loan again. He’s here, he’ll train and we’ll try to organise one or two closed-door games for him.

“We’d love to have David fit and contributing but this is just the way it has worked out.”

Fellow Scot Dougie Freedman, who is gaffer at Palace, had originally agreed a contract until January for Goodwillie.

But the frontman has struggled for form and fitness in his six weeks with Palace and was sent back to Rovers last week.

Goodwillie, who has three caps for Scotland, turned out only once for Palace during his stay.

Former Blackburn manager Kean splashed out £2million to take the hitman from Tannadice in August last year.

But he scored only twice in 21 appearances as the club were relegated from the Premiership.

Now Goodwillie has gone into football’s cold storage until January with his long-term future in doubt.